STEP-BY-STEP

Throughout the following articles, we will examine in detail all relevant aspects, from the existing base to each construction process, in order to better understand how an athletics track is installed.

As a reference, we will focus on one of the most widely used surfaces worldwide: the sandwich system track, an in-situ installed polyurethane system with an elastic base layer. This type of track is particularly well suited for training purposes and grassroots-level competitions involving athletes of all categories.

From the perspective of a manufacturer with decades of experience such as CONICA, an athletics track must always be the result of three inseparable pillars: a World Athletics–certified system, proven high-quality materials, and professional installation, controlled and supervised in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s standards.

One of the key advantages of in-situ installed systems compared to prefabricated solutions is their surface continuity. The absence of joints eliminates weak points, improves resistance to spike penetration and ensures uniform shock absorption across the entire track. Furthermore, these systems offer a crucial technical and economic benefit: the possibility of retopping throughout their service life, allowing the renewal of the wearing course without the need to replace the entire track, an option that is not feasible with prefabricated systems.

However, no system, regardless of how advanced it may be, performs properly on its own. The correct application of each layer, strict compliance with material dosages, curing times and environmental conditions are all decisive factors. For this reason, installers must work with continuous manufacturer support, training and periodic supervision, ensuring that all processes are carried out as specified and that the end client receives exactly the track performance expected.

This series of articles has a clear objective: to describe, phase by phase, how a sandwich system athletics track should be properly constructed, from base preparation to the final line marking. Not only explaining how each step is carried out, but also WHY each technical decision is made.

Because in athletics, as in the construction of sports surfaces, details are not seen… but they are felt with every stride.

The chapter of this series includes 7 Phases, each step crutial for the correct installation of an athletic Track.

Phase 1: Base Preparation. The Invisible Foundation of a Certified Athletics Track

To learn more about certified in-situ systems, retopping solutions and high-performance sports surfaces, follow CONICA or visit our official channels.

Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions based on polyurethane and epoxy resins for sports, games, leisure as well as other areas for over 40 years. Conica is one of the world’s market leaders and innovation drivers in this field. The user-oriented requirements for technical and sports functional performance as well as usability while guaranteeing health aspects of the material itself and for the user are the focus of product development. Conica is part of the Serafin group of companies based in Munich.